Bottle carrier

ABSTRACT

A paperboard carton for carrying a plurality of bottles. The carton has a base panel, side panels, and handle panels extending upwardly from the side panels. Each handle panel includes a first handle sub-panel and a second handle sub-panel. The handle sub-panels are folded inwardly so that the second handle sub-panels are in a face-to-face relationship.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims convention priority from British patentapplication no. 0415581.8, with a filing date of Jul. 13, 2004. Thespecification and drawing of the British patent application arespecifically hereby incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention relates to paperboard cartons for carrying aplurality of bottles.

According to the present invention there is provided a paperboard cartonfor carrying a plurality of bottles arranged in two or more rows andeach having a neck portion topped with a closure, said cartoncomprising: oppositely disposed side panels; base panel means hingedlyconnected to the side panels and extending below the bottles; oppositelydisposed top panels connected to the respective side panels, each toppanel incorporating one or more openings for receiving said neckportions; handle panels extending from the respective top panels andbeing hingedly connected to each other at the top of the carton remotefrom the base along a top fold; the handle panels having aligned handleopenings, each defined by first and second elongate handle sub-panelswhich are cut and folded out of the respective handle panel, each firsthandle sub-panel being hingedly connected to the handle panel along afirst handle fold which is parallel to said top fold and each secondhandle sub-panel being hingedly connected to its associated first handlesub-panel along a second handle fold which is parallel to the firsthandle fold, the handle sub-panels being folded such that the two secondhandle sub-panels are folded inwardly to lie next to each other inface-to-face relationship.

Preferably the two second handle sub-panels are adhesively securedtogether and also the free edges of the second handle sub-panels remotefrom the second handle folds engage in the inside apex of the top foldbetween the two handle panels to form a first, carrying configurationhaving a generally triangular section handle.

Ideally the distances between the top fold and the first and secondhandle folds correspond on each handle panel so that the two handlepanels can fold generally flat in a second folded configuration withsaid free edges of the second handle panels spaced from the inside ofthe top fold. In preferred arrangements portions are cut and folded fromthe handle and/or top panels and glued to the inside of the handlepanels and in addition two of said portions are provided on each handlepanel and overlie the respective areas adjacent cuts which produced theend edges of the first handle sub-panels. Normally said portions alsooverlie inside areas of the respective handle panels adjacent both endsof the first handle folds.

With one arrangement each of said portions is hingedly connected to itshandle panel along a fold which is aligned and adjacent to the secondhandle fold and each of said portions is generally L-shaped.

With another arrangement said portions also overlie further inside areasof the respective handle panels at both ends below the spaces vacated bythe folding of the second handle sub-panel, each of said portions ishingedly connected to its handle panel along a fold which is aligned andadjacent but reversed relative to an upper fold between the handle paneland the top panel and each of said portions is generally C-shaped.

Usually said portions are cut from paperboard from the openings forreceiving the neck portions of the bottles and also upper extremities ofthe portions, when folded and glued lie adjacent the inside of the topfold which connects the handle panels.

In preferred embodiments one or more securing tabs extend between thetwo side panels and between adjacent necks of bottles in a row.Conveniently the securing tabs have contoured edges to compliment theshapes of bottle necks. Preferably the securing tabs are formed frompaperboard from between the openings and are hingedly connected to therespective side panels.

Normally the base panel means comprises a pair of base panels hingedlyconnected to respective side panels and adapted to be secured to eachother below the bottles, the junctions between the side panels and thebase panel means comprises apertures/formations for retaining heelportions of the bottles and the side panels have an upper sub-paneladjacent the associated top panel so as to follow better the contours ofthe bottles.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in moredetail. The description makes reference to the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 shows a blank for producing a carton according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 shows the FIG. 1 blank after a number of initial folds;

FIG. 3 is an inside perspective view from below during the foldingprocess;

FIG. 4 is another inside perspective view from below later in thefolding process;

FIG. 5 is an end perspective view of the top part of a partially formedcarton;

FIG. 6 is an inside perspective view of the partially formed carton ofFIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the fully assembled carton around agroup of four bottles; and

FIGS. 8 to 13 are views of a second embodiment, which views are similarto FIGS. 1 to 5 and 7 in respect of the first embodiment.

In FIGS. 1 to 7 there is shown a paperboard blank 10 for producing acarton 11 for retaining a plurality of bottles 12, each bottle 12 havinga neck portion 13 topped with a closure 14. In this particularembodiment, the carton 11 is adapted to retain two rows of two bottles12 but other arrangements will be apparent to the skilled person.

The blank 10 has a pair of base panels 15, 16 which in use areadhesively secured to each other below the bottles 12 although in otherarrangements interlocking formations could be provided to enable the twobase panels 15, 16 to be secured together. The base panels 15, 16 areconnected by folds to respective lower side panels 17, 18 which in turnare connected by folds to respective side panels 19, 20 which in turnare connected by folds to respective top panels 21, 22. The top panels21, 22 are also connected by upper fold 23 to respective handle panels24, 25 which in turn are hingedly connected to each other about acentral, top fold 26.

In the region of the junction between the base, lower side and sidepanels (15-20) there are provided heel receiving formations 27 in theform of apertures/cuts. These heel receiving formations 27 receive andretain the heels of the bottles 12 and there are a number of knownvariations for ensuring that the heels of the bottles 12 do not move outof wrap-type cartons. Openings 28 are also provided in the top panels21, 22 for receiving the neck portions 13 of the bottles 12 when thecarton 11 is assembled about the bottles, as is shown more clearly inFIG. 7.

First and second elongate handle sub-panels 29, 30 are provided in eachhandle panel 24, 25. The first handle sub-panel 29 is hingedly connectedto the handle panel 24, 25 by means of a first handle fold 31 which isparallel to the top fold 26 and the second handle sub-panel 30 ishingedly connected to the first handle sub-panel 29 by means of a secondhandle fold 32 which is parallel to the first handle fold 31.

Reinforcing portions 33 are provided at each end of the second handlesub-panels 30. Each reinforcing portion 33 is generally L-shaped and ishingedly connected to the handle panel 24, 25 by means of a fold 35which is aligned and adjacent the second handle fold 32.

Between the openings 28 on each side of the carton is provided asecuring tab 36 which in the blank 10 extends to but is separate fromthe second handle sub-panel 30. The tabs 36 have contoured edges 37 andare secured to each other so that in use they tend to follow thecontours of the bottles 12 retained in the carton 111 and assist inpreventing the bottles 12 engaging each other, thus tending to reducenoise and breakages. The tabs 36 are connected by means of a fold 38between the top panels and the side panels, or more precisely in thisarrangement an upper side panel 39 which is angled, in use, so as tofollow the shape of the bottles 12.

The blank 10 can be partly pre-assembled prior to use by an end usersuch that the end user can run a packing line by placing the partassembled blank over the bottles folding the sides and base panels andsecuring the base panels beneath the bottles. Alternatively, fullassembly can take place on the packing line.

Starting from the flat blank 10, firstly the L-shaped reinforcingportions 33 are folded about the folds 35 and adhesively secured to theinside of the handle panels 24, 25. The shape and size of eachreinforcing portion 33 is such that the edge remote from the fold 35 nowlies adjacent the top fold and the L-shaped edge lies adjacent the endcuts defining the first handle sub-panel 29 and the end parts of thefirst handle fold 31. Next, the second handle sub-panels 30 are foldedinside so as to lie against the inside of the respective first handlesub-panels 29. This position is more clearly shown in FIG. 2 and also inFIG. 3. FIGS. 3 and 4 shows how the blank 10 is then folded about thetop fold 26. Preferably the two second handle sub-panels 30 are thenadhesively secured together and also, when the two handle panels 24, 25lie together the two security tabs 36 are adhesively secured orotherwise locked together.

In this part assembled state the blank 10 can be folded flat with thetwo handle panels 24, 25 lying against each other and folded down aboutthe upper folds 23 so as to lie against one of the top panels 21, 22.

To form the finished carton the part assembled blank 10 is placed overthe necks 13 of the bottles, the necks passing through the openings 28in the top panels 21, 22 with the necks of the two bottles in each rowbeing separated by the securing tabs 36. The securing tabs 36 alsoassist in determining the tightness of the finished pack as they preventthe side panels from moving beyond a certain distance apart.

The side panels 17, 18 are then folded down and the base panels 15, 16are folded under the bottles 12 and, after pack tightening, secured toeach other using adhesive in this embodiment. The folding of thesepanels also ensures that the heels of the bottles 12 are retained in theheel receiving formations 27.

When the loaded carton 11 is lifted using the handle, the handle panels24, 25 hinge apart slightly about the top fold 26 and, with the firsthandle sub-panels 29 form a comfortable and strong handle of generallytriangular section which is best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. In thiscarrying position, the first handle sub-panels 29 are braced relative tothe top fold 26 by virtue of the edges of the second handle sub-panels30 engaging in the apex between the handle panels 24, 25. Also the foldsbetween the panels enable the handle panels 24, 25 to be lowered whennot in use so as to eliminate or minimise projection above the bottleclosures 14.

The reinforcing panels 33 provide additional strength in the handleregion and in particular provide good resistance to twisting of the packabout a vertical axis. Such twisting of the pack can cause unwantedhandle failure which in turn can result in the carton shedding its load.As one particular use of this carton is for carrying bottles of wine,handle failure could be an expensive problem for the consumer. From themanufacturer's point of view the reinforcing portions 33 are cut frommaterial which would have otherwise been wasted, e.g. from the openings28.

The arrangement shown in FIGS. 8 to 13 is very similar in many respectsto that shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, certainly in general construction andadvantages. Because of this like parts have been given like referencenumerals and no detailed description is necessary. The differences are,however, described and discussed below.

The reinforcing panels 33 are generally C-shaped and, when folded andglued to the inside of the respective handle panels 24, 25 providereinforcement at the top, ends and bottom of the handle slot createdwhen the first and second handle sub-panels 29, 39 are folded and glued.The C-shaped reinforcing panels are hingedly connected on reverse foldlines 50 which are aligned with and adjacent the folds 23 between thetop panels 21, 22 and the handle panels 24, 25. The C-shaped reinforcingpanels 33 provide further twist resistance and general strength andagain are cut from parts of the blank 10 which would otherwise be waste.

It will be readily appreciated that further rows of bottles could beenvisaged and further bottles in each row. Further securing tabs couldthen be provided to increase stability and to ensure correct separationof bottles. Other modifications can also be made without departing fromthe scope of the attached claims.

1. A paperboard carton for carrying a plurality of bottles arranged intwo or more rows and each having a neck portion topped with a closure,said carton comprising: oppositely disposed side panels; base panelmeans hingedly connected to the side panels and extending below thebottles; oppositely disposed top panels connected to the respective sidepanels, each top panel incorporating one or more openings for receivingsaid neck portions; handle panels extending from the respective toppanels and being hingedly connected to each other at the top of thecarton remote from the base along a top fold; the handle panels havingaligned handle openings, each defined by first and second elongatehandle sub-panels which are cut and folded out of the respective handlepanel, each first handle sub-panel being hingedly connected to thehandle panel along a first handle fold which is parallel to said topfold and each second handle sub-panel being hingedly connected to itsassociated first handle sub-panel along a second handle fold which isparallel to the first handle fold, the handle sub-panels being foldedsuch that the two second handle sub-panels are folded inwardly to lienext to each other in face-to-face relationship.
 2. A carton as claimedin claim 1 wherein the two second handle sub-panels are adhesivelysecured together.
 3. A carton as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 whereinthe free edges of the second handle sub-panels remote from the secondhandle folds engage in the inside apex of the top fold between the twohandle panels to form a first, carrying configuration having a generallytriangular section handle.
 4. A carton as claimed in claim 3 wherein thedistances between the top fold and the first and second handle foldscorrespond on each handle panel so that the two handle panels can foldgenerally flat in a second folded configuration with said free edges ofthe second handle panels spaced from the inside of the top fold.
 5. Acarton as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein portions are cutand folded from the handle and/or top panels and glued to the inside ofthe handle panels.
 6. A carton as claimed in claim 5 wherein two of saidportions are provided on each handle panel and overlie the respectiveareas adjacent cuts which produced the end edges of the first handlesub-panels.
 7. A carton as claimed in claim 6 wherein said portions alsooverlie inside areas of the respective handle panels adjacent both endsof the first handle folds.
 8. A carton as claimed in claim 7 whereinsaid portions also overlie further inside areas of the respective handlepanels at both ends below the spaces vacated by the folding of thesecond handle sub-panel.
 9. A carton a claimed in any one of claims 5 to7 wherein each of said portions is hingedly connected to its handlepanel along a fold which is aligned and adjacent to the second handlefold.
 10. A carton as claimed in claim 9 wherein each of said portionsis generally L-shaped.
 11. A carton as claimed in any one of claims 5 to8 wherein each of said portions is hingedly connected to its handlepanel along a fold which is aligned and adjacent but reversed relativeto an upper fold between the handle panel and the top panel.
 12. Acarton as claimed in claim 11 wherein each of said portions is generallyC-shaped.
 13. A carton as claimed in claim 11 or claim 12 wherein saidportions are cut from paperboard from the openings for receiving theneck portions of the bottles.
 14. A carton as claimed in any one ofclaims 5 to 13 wherein upper extremities of the portions, when foldedand glued lie adjacent the inside of the top fold which connects thehandle panels.
 15. A carton as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14wherein one or more securing tabs extend between the two side panels andbetween adjacent necks of bottles in a row.
 16. A carton as claimed inclaim 15 wherein the securing tabs have contoured edges to complimentthe shapes of the bottle necks.
 17. A carton as claimed in claim 16wherein the securing tabs are formed from paperboard from between theopenings and are hingedly connected to the respective side panels.
 18. Acarton as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17 wherein the base panelmeans comprises a pair of base panels hingedly connected to respectiveside panels and adapted to be secured to each other below the bottles.19. A carton as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 18 wherein thejunctions between the side panels and the base panel means comprisesapertures/formations for retaining heel portions of the bottles.
 20. Acarton as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 19 wherein the side panelshave an upper sub-panel adjacent the associated top panel so as tofollow better the contours of the bottles.
 21. A paperboard carton forcarrying a plurality of bottles, said carton comprising: oppositelydisposed side panels; at least one base panel connected to at least oneof said side panels; oppositely disposed top panels, one top panel beingconnected to each side panel, each top panel having at least oneopening; and oppositely disposed handle panels, one handle panel beingconnected to each top panel, wherein said handle panels are operativelyconnected at a top of said carton, wherein each handle panel has ahandle opening at least partially defined by a first handle sub-paneland a second handle sub-panel cut and folded out of said handle panel,and said first and second handle panels are folded such that said secondhandle sub-panels are folded inwardly in a face-to-face relationship.22. The carton of claim 21, wherein each first handle sub-panel ishingedly connected to its associated handle panel along a first handlefold.
 23. The carton of claims 21 or 22, wherein each second handlesub-panel is hingedly connected to it associated first handle sub-panelalong a second handle fold.
 24. The carton according to any of claims21-23, wherein said top panels are connected at a top fold.
 25. Thecarton of claim 24, wherein said first and second handle folds areparallel to said top fold.
 26. The carton of according to any of claims21-25, wherein said side panels are connected to said top panels byupper side panels.
 27. A paperboard blank, comprising: a first handlepanel including a first handle sub-panel and a second handle sub-panelfoldably connected to said first handle sub-panel; a second handle paneloperatively connected to said first handle panel and including a firsthandle sub-panel and a second handle sub-panel foldably connected tosaid first handle sub-panel; a first top panel operatively connected tosaid first handle panel and having at least one opening; a second toppanel operatively connected to said second handle panel and having atleast one opening; a first side panel operatively connected to saidfirst top panel; a second side panel operatively connected to saidsecond top panel; and at least one base panel operatively connected toat least one of said side panels.
 28. The blank of claim 27, whereineach first handle sub-panel is connected to its associated handle panelalong a first handle fold, and wherein the first handle fold is parallelto a top fold connecting the first handle panel to the second handlepanel.
 29. The blank of claims 27 or 28, wherein each second handlesub-panel is hingedly connected to it associated first handle sub-panelalong a second handle fold, and wherein the second handle fold isparallel to the first handle fold.
 30. The blank of according to any ofclaims 27-29, wherein said at least one opening in said first top panelcomprises two openings, the openings being adjacent to opposite ends ofthe second handle sub-panel of the first handle panel.
 31. The blank ofaccording to any of claims 27-30, wherein said first top panel isconnected to said first side panel by a first upper side panel.
 32. Theblank of according to any of claims 27-31, further comprising aplurality of heel receiving formations adjacent to the at least one basepanel.